Sources detail concerns about Mandela Barnes' behavior toward womenShow Caption Hide Caption Mandela Barnes questioning whether the Democrats can beat Tom Tiffany Mandela Barnes, then still a candidate for Wisconsin governor, questioned at the Journal Sentinel's Data Center Town Hall on July 29 whether the Democratic nominee could defeat Tom Tiffany. Democratic Party of Wisconsin officials in 2025 hired an outside law firm to review allegations of inappropriate behavior involving young adult women against one of the party's stars, Mandela Barnes, according to a person familiar with the matter. One of the sources had a sexual relationship with him, while the other two had firsthand knowledge of the behavior. Ahead of the state party convention in June, where Barnes addressed delegates, the letter was sent to county party leaders. She said she saw Barnes, who was and is single, as a rising star in the Democratic Party, and an "inspirational and aspirational" leader.